AIBU to request my gas be cut off entirely

[chickyellowcute]

I don't want to be paying nearly 4k a year just to not be able to afford to actually use it!

I worked out some fairly decent use of electric heaters and my electric shower will cost at least 2k less than just being connected to the gas (the standing charge)

For washing up, I'll use the kettle

So my electricity bill will go up what seems like a bonkers amount but I won't be paying 4k JUST FOR THE OPTION of gas

Is this a thing they let you do? Or do I have to move to a completely unconnected property?

They haven't paid a dividend for 3 years. I have some Centrica shares, so I will get about £200. Taxman will take £80 of it. However, it's an odd time to decide to pay a dividend! The optics are not great!

I'm a renter who is stuck with gas, even though I use very little versus electricity. In my case, the standing charge is 2/3 of my bill so I'd love to switch it off.

They would get bailiffs to enter the house and install a pre pay meter.

There is a silver lining to the unparalleled incompetence of successive governments in rolling out "smart" meters in that most of them are unable to be remotely disconnected because of a dogs breakfast of standards. However I can see a renewed push to get people to have one installed "to save money".

I know there used to be grants available to insulate the loft, cavity wall insulation, update boiler etc, to those on benefits. Not sure of the current situation. Worth investigating if you receive any type of benefit at all.

Most of the electricity in this country is generated through the burning of gas. So higher gas prices means higher electricity prices.

Electricity is also more expensive than gas. My house is electric only and it ain't cheap.

I'm glad you got the price wrong, thankfully you won't be freezing this year.

I wonder if many people are confused with the charges and end up freezing.

Yes people seem to forget we generate most of our electricity in this country using gas. We have precious little nuclear or coal generation nowadays which, insofar as we’re talking nuclear, was disastrous planning and can’t be quickly rectified.

we need to rapidly increase our use of renewables, in particular we have massive potential for wave power but we’re not using it.

You can ask for the meter to be removed. This is free, and will stop the standing charge. They will ask you for hundreds of pounds to disconnect the gas from the street, but this is not obligatory. I waited, and the following year they did it for nothing, for 'safety reasons'. But at that point it's very pricey to reconnect.

We had our loft insulation re done earlier this year because our council had a pot of money for eligible households and the criteria was very wide - we got it purely because have a child under 5, they didn't even ask income and we don't receive any benefits (not even child benefit). It was super simple and completed in 3 weeks and honestly I feel like you could tell a difference particularly upstairs once it was done! I would definitely recommend people look into this, I saw it on a local Facebook group luckily! They would have done cavity wall insulation too if needed, but we already have it.

I think you're underestimating what powers a warrant for a prepayment meter allows.

They can literally break down your door to install a prepayment meter. Far greater powers than the bailiffs who serve CCJs and try to collect money.

Getting people to do jobs - especially unpleasant ones - can be very expensive. Which is why the energy companies plan A is to cut off smart meters where they can before sending the bailiffs in as plan B.

Luckily the push to install smart meters on the cheap means most of them can't be operated remotely. Well not by the energy companies leastways.

I must admit, what with all the retro vibe going on, I'm rather looking forwards to a 3 day week. I believe that the premises that had to be blacked out so no one could know they were working (like my old offices had to be) can claim the cost back in expenses ?

I suspect Martin Lewis is orgasming over this energy crisis. I watch his monologues and he is clearly finding it increasingly difficult to conceal his unparalleled joy and excitement at the situation and fact he is being called up for his view by so many media channels.

Is there a saying about not shooting the messenger ?

Who’s for a guy out?! No shooting here

Just a wry observation!

Got a gun out!!

The electricity company used to break in and change locks to sort debt out.
Hathersage road Manchester was the place you went to get your new keys from.
I wonder how often they do it these days.

I have oil not gas. One winter I couldn't afford to fill the tank. Within a few weeks the house smelled damp and damp patches formed on walls and window frames. Not heating the whole house has significant repercussions. Oil and electric will be priority bills even if they become too high. Hopefully companies will offer support to struggling customers.

For businesse actually pretty quickly. I know someone who changed supplier when they got new shop and sorted everything. But no bills came so they kept calling up asking when bills come and if everything is ok.
"Yes, it's just taking bit longer to generate the bills, it's fine."
Bills didn't turn up but the top up meter did within 3 months! They just broke into the premises at like 5am and changed it.

Wait. Did you mean like house key or top up key?😳